Capping device



Sept. 20, 1932. H, STONE v 1,878,343

CAPPING DEVICE Filed April 27, 1929 2 $heets-Sheet l a 1 Henryfl. diam J0 J 32n r) z I data Sept. 20, 1932. r STONE 1,878,343

CAPPI NG DEVICE Filed April 27, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qwwmtoo flniy 12550726 Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITE STATS HENRY A. STONE, or EASTON, rENNsYLvANIa'AssIGNoR TO INDIVIDUAL DRINKING our coMrANY,'INo., or nAs'roN, rENNsYLvANIA, A CORPORATION or PENNSYL- VANIA GAPPING DEVICE Application filed April 27, 1929. Serial No. 358,636.

My invention relates to new anduseful improvements in a device for applying closures, such as a cap, to containers or the like, and more particularly to what may be termed a hand oapper which is of such a size and weight as to be readily manipulated by hand, the principal object of the invention residing 1n the formation of the device in such a manner that it may be readily supported on a counter or thelike and positioned to be in easy reach of and ready manipulation by the operator.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a capper of the character de scribed in which there is a base portion for supporting a stack of caps or like closures and an applying device or plunger member, said applying device or plunger member being adapted to be positioned in the base and normally supported by the stack of caps or closures and when removed from the base to carry with it a single cap or closure to; be applied to the container or the like.

A further object of the invention resides in the formation of the base with guide or positioning members which hold the caps or closures, of the stack, in proper alignment for engagement by the applying device or plunger member these guides also acting to position the applying device or plunger member relative to the base and stack of caps or closures.

Still another object of the invention consists in forming the applyingdevice with a head portion adapted to receive and retain a cap or other closure, a hand grip adapted to be engaged for manipulating the applier, and a plunger operable in the head portion and adapted for ejecting the cap or closure therefrom andto position the same in the container or the like.

With the above, and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel details of construction, and arrangement of parts, described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, as they now appear to me, it will be understood that Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the parts assembled. I r

Fig. 2 is a top plan.

Fig.3 is a transverse vertical section with parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a'horizontal section on the line t4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of the parts when the de vice is being used for applying a cap or closure.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional detail showing the position of the applying device relative to the container or the like prior to the insertion of the cap or closure therein; and

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig.6 with the cap or closure inserted into the container.

In the drawings A denotes generally the base or member for receiving thestack of caps or closures and B the applying device or plunger member.

The base consists of the bottom plate 1 and top ring 2 connected by the vertically extending guide rods 3, said guide rods having their lower ends reduced as shown at 4 to be received in the openings 5 formed in the plate 1. The upper ends of the guide rods are received in the notches or recesses 6 formed in the inner face of the ring 2, at the bottom, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings, The inner faces of the rods 3 are flattened, as shown at 7, for a purpose which will be later described. The plate 1 has the 1 upwardly extending portion 8 which supports the stack of caps or closures 9 in position between the guide rods 3, the flattened surfaces of the rods 3 tending to hold the caps or closures in alignment. An opening 10 is formed in the plate 1 'to reduce the weight of the device. The upper edge of the ring 2 is interiorly beveled as shown at 11, for a purpose which will be presently brought out, and as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 the upper ends of the guide rods 3 extend inwardly of the inner diameter of the ring or in other words project beyond the inner surface of the ring. The base 1 is also provided with the circumferentially spaced openings 12 through which screws or othersuitable fastenings may be passed, if desired, for attaching the device to the counter or other support.

The cap or closure applying or plunger member B consists of the head 13 having the depending peripheral flange 14 which forms a recess 15 in the bottom face of the head.

. at the lower end, is providedwith areduced extension 22 which passes through an open ing formed in the head and communicating with the recess 15 therein. The hand grip 21 is formed with a vertically extending opening to receive the slidable plunger rod 23 to the lower end of which is secured the plunger 24 of a diameter to be received within the recess 15 of the head 13. An enlargement 25 is formed at the lower end of the piston rod 23, at the upper face of theplunger 24 and acts for positioning the plunger 24 relative to the groove 18. It will be appreciated that when the device is used in a manner to be later described that one of the caps 9 will be received in the groove 18 and it will be desired to use the outer face of the plunger 24 for engaging the upper face of the cap. In order to secure a more minute adjustment I can, when desired, use a washer or shim 26 which will surround the piston rod 23 and engage the upper end of the enlargement 25 as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The engagement ofthe enlargement 25 or the washer or shim 26 with the inner face of the head 13 will limit the upward movement of the plunger and plunger rod. At the upper end the hand grip 21 is formed with a recess 27 to receive the coiled spring 28 which surroundsthe piston rod 23 asshown. The upper end of the piston rod is threaded as shown at 29 to receive the nut or knob 30 which is interiorly threaded and formed with a recess 31 to receive the upper end of the coiled spring 28. It will be understood that the nut or knob 30 is slidable in the recess 27 and when depressed will compress the spring 28 and lower the plunger 24. lVhen the knob or nut 30 is released the coiled spring 28 will return the parts to their normal position. The head 13 and depending flange 14 are formed with the circumferentially spaced vertically extending marginal. recesses 32 to receive the-vertically extending guide rods 3, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Particular attention is directed to the fact that the head 13 is of an exterior diameter greater than the diameter of the base within the vertically extending rods 3 and for this reason the vertically extending recesses 32 are provided in the margin of the head to accommodate the rods 3. The interior diameter of the head is such that the lower portion of the flange 14 will encircle the upper end of the stack of caps or other closures, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings, so that the uppermost cap or closure may be received in the groove 18. As previously stated the rods 3 act to align the caps or closures and at the same time act as guides for, the applying device or plunger for directing the same into or out of the base. I

At 33 I have illustrated a receptacle or container adapted to receive the commodity and while I have illustrated this receptacle or container as made of paper or similar ma terial it will be understood that it may be of other desired material and that while my improved form of capper is adapted primarily forinserting caps or closures into a paper receptacle or container it might equally as well be used with containers or receptacles formed of other material. In the form of receptacle or container illustrated the upper edge is curled or beaded, as shown at 34, and a circumferentially extending groove is formed interiorly of the receptacle or container as illustratedat 35. While the receptacle or container is illustrated as being of tapered formation it will be understood that, if desired, the improved form of capper might equally as well be used with containers or receptacles having straight side walls. In recent years paper receptacles or containers have come into extensive use for packing commodities of various characters and where these containers or receptacles are filled at the plant or factory different forms of devices or machines have been perfected and used for V applying a cap or closure. While various forms of caps or closures have been used the fiat'disc form of cap or closure has come into extensive use. It is the primary object of my invention to provide a device whereby caps or closures, of flat disclike formation, may be applied to the receptacles or containers and at the point where the commodity is retailed', such as. at ice cream counters, delicatessen stores, or similar places. For this purpose the capper used must be of convenient form and weight whereby it may be manipulated bythe storekeeper or clerk and must be of such form that it may be readily supported in convenient reach of the person. My improved form of capper embodies such features and in the formation which I have illustrated I have provided a base member which may be supported. on a counter or the like for holding a stack of the capslor closures and a member in the form of a cap applier or plunger which normally is received'in the base and supported by the stack of caps or closures but which maybe grasped by the hand and removed with a single cap therein to be positioned over the upper end of the container or receptacle and manipulated to eject the cap or closure and position the same within the receptacle or container. Normally the parts will be in the assembled positionshown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The stack of caps or closures 9 will be received on the upwardly extending portion 8 of the bottomplate 1 of the base and will be held in alignment by means of the vertically extending guide rods 3. The cap or closure applier orplunger will be p0- sitioned within the basewith the lower portion of the flange 14 of the head 13 surround ing the upper portion of the stack of caps or closures and the plunger 24 engaging the upper surface of the uppermost cap or @10- sure with the edge of said uppermost cap or closure received in the groove 18. It will be understood that as the cap applier or plunger is lowered into the base that the weight thereof and the force of-movement will be sufii cient to force the uppermost cap or closure beyond and over the lip 19 to 'be received in the groove 18. The beveled or inclined surface 17 acts to guide the head over the end of the stack of caps or closures and to guide the uppermost cap or closure-into the groove 18. .As has been previously stated the plunger 24 is adjusted by means of the shims 36 or the like so that itwill be positioned relative to the groove 18 that the cap or closure received in the groove will engage the face of the plunger. The coiled spring 28 normally holds the plunger rod 23 with the plunger 24 in their uppermost position. WVhen the container or receptacle 33 has been filled with the desired commodity and is ready to receive the cap or closure theoperator grasps the hand grip 21 and raises the applier or plunger from the base, a direct vertical movement being required due to the fact that the guide rods 3 engage in the recesses 32. After being removed from the base the applier or plunger is positioned over the upper end of the receptacle or container 33 as shown more particularly in Fig. 5 of the drawings with the curled or beaded end 34 engaging the shoulder 16. When thus positioned the nut or knob 30 is engaged and depressed against the action of the spring 28. This movement lowers the plunger rod 23 and plunger 24 so that the plunger 24 forces the cap or closure from the groove 18 of the head 13 and directs it into the open end of the receptacle or container 33 and into the groove 35 where it is securely held. After the cap or closure has been thus applied the nut or knob 30 is released and the parts will be returned to their original or normal position by means of the coiled spring 28. The applier or plunger is then returned to the base being positioned and guided relative thereto by means of the rods 3v entering the recesses 32. It will be noted that the beveled upper end of the ring 2 will act to guide and position the plunger relative to the base and the flat surfaces 7 of the rods 3 not only cooperate with the caps or closures to properly align them but allow for a free movement of the plunger relative to the base. In Fig.

6 of the drawings I have illustrateda cap or closure in position just before being inserted into the receptacle or container and in Fig.

7 of the drawings I have illustrated the plunger 24 in its'final inserting movement with the cap or closure in .position withinthe'receptacle or container. The cappers may be made in different sizes for applying caps or closures of different diameters to containersor the like varying in size andin places where a number of different sized containers are to be filled there will be a plurality of capping devices positioned on'the support within easy reach of the operator.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A capper of thecharacter described in eluding a member forsupporting a stack of closure caps, and an applymg member normally supported on the stack of caps but normally supportedon the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, the cap supportmg member'includmg a bottom plate, a top ioli ring, and vertically extending members connecting the bottom plate and ring and engageable with the caps to hold the same in position, and the applying member having recesses to receive the vertically extending members of the cap supporting member.

3. A capper of the character described includin'g a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normally supported on the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, the cap supporting member including a bottom-plate, a top ring having an inner beveled surface, and

vertically extending members connecting the bottom plate and ring and adapted to hold the same in position,'and the applying memher having recesses to receive the vertically extending members of the cap supporting member, the beveled surface of the top ring directing the applying member to position relative to the closure caps and the vertically extending members received in the recesses of the applying member guiding the applying member in its movements relative to the caps. V

4:. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normally supported on the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, said applying member including a head having a circumferentially extending groove therein to, receive the edge of the uppermostcapof the stack, and means for ejecting the cap from the groove.

5. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normally supported onthe stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a containeror the like, said applying member including a head having a groove therein to receive the uppermost cap of the stack, and, spring controlled means forejecting the cap from the groove.

6. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stackof closure caps, and an applying member normally supported on the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, said applying member including a head having a circumferentially extending groove therein to receive the edge of the uppermost cap of the stack, and a plunger for ejecting the cap from the groove. v

7. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying" member normally supported on the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, said applying member including a head having a groove therein to receive the uppermost cap of the stack, and a spring cont-rolled plunger for ejecting the cap from the groove.

8. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normally supported on the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, said applying member including a head having a groove to receive the uppermost cap of the stack and its face adjacent the groove beveled for directing the cap to the groove, and means for ejecting the cap from the groove into the container. c

9. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normally supported on the stackof caps; but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, said applying memberincluding a head having ,a shoulder adapted to engagethe upper edge of the container, a groove to receive the uppermost cap from the stack, and means for ejecting the capfrom the groove into the container.

10. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normally supported on the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for-positioning a cap into a container or'the like, said applying member including a head having a flange adapted to encircle the upper portion of the stack'of caps, a groove to'receive the upper most cap fromthe stack, and means for ejecting: the cap from the groove into the container. 1 I V 11'. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normallyisupported on; the stack of caps but adapted to be'removed for positioning a cap into a container or the like, said cap applying member including a head having a groove to receive the uppermost cap from the stack, a hand grip. secured to the head, and means for ejecting the cap from the groove to position the same into the container.

12. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting astack of closure cap-s and an applying member normally supportedon the stack of caps but adapted to be removed for positioning a cap into aj-container or thelike, said applying member including a head having a depending flange adaptedto encircle the upper portion of the stack of caps and a groove to receive the uppermost cap from the stack, a plunger for ejecting the cap from. the groove into the container, and means for positioning the. plunger relative to the groove.

13. A capper of the character described including a'member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member normally supported directly upon the stack of caps and movable relative to the stack Within the confines of the supporting memher, said applying member being removable from the supporting member to apply a cap to a container or the like and having a clepending flange adapted to engage the edge of the uppermost cap of the stack and. remove the capfrom the stack as the member is removed. r

14. A capper of the character described including a member forsupporting a stack of the closure caps, and an applying member normally supported directly upon the stack of caps and movable relative to the stack Within the confines of the supporting member, said applying member being removable from the supporting member to apply a cap-per to a container or the like and having a grooved depending flange adapted to engage the edge of the uppermost cap of the stack and remove the cap from the stack as the member is removed.

15. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member adapted to be associated therewith for removing the uppermost cap, said supporting member and applying member having coopcrating recessed and projecting portions permitting vertical movement of the applying member relative to the supporting member but preventing rotary movement relative thereto 7 16. A capper of the character described including a member for supporting a stack of closure caps, and an applying member adapted to be associated therewith for removing the uppermost cap, said supporting member including rods engageable with the edges of the caps of the stack and the applying member including a head having recessed portions to receive the rods to permit vertical movement of the applying member relative to the supporting member but preventing rotary movement relative thereto.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

HENRY A. STONE. 

